中文
Taking the Eight Mahayana Precepts is one of the easiest and most powerful ways for laypeople to accumulate merit. For just one day, we commit to refraining from eight specific negative actions — training our minds to be more mindful, more aware, and more intentional in how we think, speak, and act.
The Eight Mahayana Precepts
- To refrain from killing, whether directly or indirectly.
- To refrain from stealing and taking what is not given.
- To refrain from sexual activity.
- To refrain from lying and deceptive speech.
- To refrain from using intoxicants.
- To refrain from eating after noon, taking only one meal before midday.
- To refrain from dancing, singing, playing music, and wearing cosmetics, perfume, or jewellery.
- To refrain from sitting or sleeping on high or luxurious beds and seats with pride.
Benefits of taking the Eight Precepts
- By refraining from killing, you create the causes for a full, long, and illness-free life.
- By refraining from stealing, you create the causes for wealth and the ability to retain it.
- By refraining from sexual activity, you create the causes for a healthy body, a lovely complexion, and perfect senses.
- By refraining from lying, you create the causes for others to trust and heed your words, and to be protected from being deceived by others.
- By refraining from intoxicants, you create the causes for a stable mind, clear senses, and perfect wisdom.
- By eating only at appropriate times, you create the causes for abundance — food and drink will come without great difficulty.
- By refraining from high beds and seats, you create the causes for genuine contentment and to be respected by others.
- By refraining from entertainment, jewellery, cosmetics, and perfume, you create the causes for a body with a pleasant natural quality and many auspicious marks.
General guidelines
On the day of the Eight Precepts, you should avoid consuming the five “black foods”:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Leek
- Meat (including fish and seafood)
- Egg
These foods are avoided because they are said to disturb the subtle channels of our body, weakening our willpower and making it harder to remain mindful and clear throughout the precept day.
It is recommended to take the Eight Precepts for the first time with the guidance of Sangha or Pastors who are authorised to facilitate the ceremony and transmit the precepts. Once you have formally received them, you can take them on your own at any time.
Watch the videos below to learn more — including what to prepare, how the ceremony works, and how to seal the merit afterwards. The prayers for taking the Eight Precepts can be downloaded here.
When is the ceremony held?
At Kechara, the Eight Mahayana Precepts are given annually in conjunction with Wesak Day for auspiciousness. However, you are welcome to take it at any other time. If you’d like to take the Eight Precepts, please reach out to us by email or WhatsApp. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the ceremony.
